10million Brits to spend £1.3billion on Christmas food & last-gasp presents on Frenzied Friday
UP to 10.4million Brits will shop for Christmas food and last-gasp presents on Frenzied Friday today.
We will spend a monster £1.3billion on the high street and online, with some stores open 18 hours — from 6am to midnight.
Office workers finishing for the holidays will also spill into pubs and restaurants.
Ambulance services are braced for one of their busiest nights of the year as partygoers risk passing out and violence.
Experts say up to £961m will be spent in stores today, and £330m online — boosted by last-minute delivery promises.
Prof Joshua Bamfield, of the Centre for Retail Research, said: “Office staff shopping before and after drinks, and organised shoppers buying their last gifts before travelling or seeing friends will cause congestion on many high streets.”
The total spend will be 10 per cent higher than the Friday before Christmas last year.
Shopping until midnight is offered at the Braehead mall, near Glasgow.
Among centres open to 11pm are Westfield London, Westfield Stratford City, and Manchester’s Trafford.
Shops close earlier tomorrow.
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